Sunset Island, the strip of sandy beach under JFK Causeway along the Intracoastal Waterway, is known for the landmark restaurant Snoopy’s. Over its 43-year tenure as a beloved waterfront eatery, Snoopy’s has seen renovations, an expansion with the addition of Scoopy’s Ice Cream — and now the opening of its newest eatery, Snoopy’s Pearl Oyster Bar.
“The Pearl,” as owner and real estate developer Mitchell Kalogridis affectionately calls it, has the same great view and rustic vibe as its sister restaurant. Walking up the grand pier to the entrance, patrons have plenty of photo ops next to hand-painted murals and the iconic Snoopy’s Pelican. Inside are 10-top teak root dining tables flanking a massive full-service bar. In spite of the impressive furnishings, the eye is drawn to the south and west-facing walls of the restaurant, both of which are open to the beautiful views and refreshing sea breeze.
Where Snoopy’s Pearl Oyster Bar stands out is in its elevated menu. First-time diners may show up seeking 15+ oyster varieties from around the world and come back for the filet mignon. What started as a simple concept to serve a variety of oysters developed into a multifaceted menu of old and new favorites: pan-seared scallops, prosciutto-wrapped mahi mahi and a show-stopping seafood tower. Kalogridis credits this to the talent of his chefs and the creative process. “We continually strive to push to a higher standard in culinary experiences,” he said.
Kalogridis grew up with Florida saltwater in his hair. He remembers his dad sitting him on the bar stool of their first family-owned oyster bar. After purchasing Sunset Island, he sought to protect Snoopy’s legacy and heighten the already bustling marina at Marker 37.
He’s done just that. From the pistachio-crusted salmon to the Nutella and caramelized banana crepes, Snoopy’s Pearl Oyster Bar offers superior choices for Sunday brunch, lunch and dinner. To start, we swooned over the oysters El Salvador, grilled oysters topped with cold ceviche and a creamy avocado salad, and the Far East oysters flavored with spicy wasabi, pickled ginger and shaved red onion. The Pearl’s three-tier tower of Dungeness crab, clams and mussels sautéed in white wine, shrimp cocktail and oysters on the half shell seals the deal.
With this addition, Sunset Island now has a bit of everything, and is proving itself to be a sensational Padre Island destination for tourists and locals alike.
Dig into more local food and drink content with our profile on the new Port Aransas bar, The Sand Bar.